OCTOBER DUST STORM

Hokitika Guardian, 27 December 1928, Page 8

OCTOBER DUST STORM

FULLER DESCRIPTION

OF.AUSTRALIAN OR 10 IN

SCIEXTJ.FIC .INVESTIGATION

WELLINGTON, December 2!

October’s dust storm which visited the Dominion, although not unique, was of sufficient interest to be worth scientific investigation. This has been done by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research and a eompiehensive report lias been prepared '-,i the phenomenon. tucli a dust storm, it is pointed out. is a very unusual occurrence, the last- previous occasion when-such a fail was observed and recorded being < u November 1-1, 1902. The dust on that occasion, ■as in October’s storm, was shown conclusively to be of Australian

origin

Tlie tall of last October was lar heavier and more widespread than that of. 1902. All .sample's of dust collected and forwarded for analysis bad in appearance tlie same yellowish red or b iff colour, which gave the distinctive colour to the clouds and to the surfaces on to which the dust Hell. When examined microscopically, the largest particles were found to have a diameter of 0.308 mm., but these were very exceptional and flaky. lherc were lew particles larger than 0.0! min. The minerals which could he distinguished were flakes ol mica and abundant, well rounded grains ol quart/., a certaip amount of organic matter lining also present.

Chemical analyses of the dust, ol both falls give much the same result. H 's similar to the rod clay ilound over a large area on Hip bed ol the southern Tasman Sen, it being supposed that I lie deposit is really composed of dust blown from the Australian rout,moot. Dr Marshall estimates Hint (Mo her’s dust storm fell over an area of at least 10.000 square miles, the total deposit being approximately 100,030 fens. Dr Kidson enters in detail into the meteorological conditions, prov iling I efore and at the time of the dust storm, showing that Hie conditions over Australia were (favourable for the rais.ng t;,, high altitudes of vast quantities of dust which would be carried in the direction of New Zealand. The thunder storms experienced in the Dominion at the time of the storm, wlii-h were in many cases exceptional!,) severe. Dr Kidson says were almost certainly associated with the presence of jlust in tlie atmosphere. Dr K its-n estimates the total deposit in New Zealand at between 00.000 and .1(50,00) tons, one of tlie most striking features being tlie chocolate or pink snow which 'fell in Otago.

“ A remarkable feature ol the phenomenon,” be concludes, “ is that. Hu dust should have been so long concentrated in the atmosphere after such a long journey. The average distance travelled by Hie time New Zealand was reached must have been at least -00) miles. The speed probably varied he nveen 2A and (50 miles an hour.” Tlie writer is of opinion that South and Central Australia must have supplied their quota to the total dust content, in addition to Queensland and New South Wales, and that the high degree of saturation could only have been reached by the atmsophere receiving additional supplies during the course ol several days. The transport of the dust over long distances is frequently recorded, but such a striking instance as the present had not previously come under the writer’s notice.

you find the decks littered with luxe-, and Hog crates. Cases of stoics an opened there because there is no other place to open them. Ibis accumulated contusion is cleared away on one side, so that the galley may be reached. A breath of warm air, laden will, the smell of roasting meat and the ap-poti--ing ulour of new bread. Moats out o' the open door. It is warm in Hieicand good shelter from the chill wind that blows off the ice. Someone n generally hugging the stove, (baiting with George Tennant, the cook, round and benign, with a calm which nothin" can disturb. George smiles 1151011 all who come, and discusses in a lev. monotone which never varies, the incomprehensible things which men do outside the galley, ids ordained world. Xe matter how we roll, with water sloshing about his ankles, imperturbably he turns .out good things ■ t> cat.’’